Half to dorr darling



(No Model.)

W. H. KIMBALL.

FENCE POST.

No. 602,807. PatentedApr. 19,1898.

UNITED- STATES EFFECEQ WILLIAM H.

KIMBALL, or JONESVILLE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR or one- HALF TO DORR DARLING, or SAME PLACE.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,807, dated April 19, 1898.

Application filed November 20, 1897- fierial N0- 9 ,326. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. KIMBALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at J onesville,in the county of Hillsdale and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in fence-posts of that class known to the art as metallic posts, in which the post proper and the means for supportingthe same are constructed of metal.

The object that I have in view is to provide improved means of simple construction for supporting a post rigidly and securely in place against vertical displacement as well as sidewise tipping in the ground; and a further object that I have in view is to provide an improved construction of the post-supporting appliances which may be used to good advantage in connection with either cylindrical or angular posts. This adaptation of the supporting means to either angular or cylindrical posts is an important advantage in my construction, because a great many persons prefer to use angular or V-shaped posts, while others prefer the cylindrical or gas-pipe posts. My construction enables either style of post to be used in connection with the one set of post-supporting appliances, thus enabling the purchaser to replace one style of posts with the other, if desired.

To the attainment of the objects above recited my invention consists inthe novel construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvement adapted for use in connection with a round post. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the improved construction in connection with an angular or V-shaped post. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the bottom plate. Fig. 4: is a detail view of the upper plate. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View, partly in section, sh owing the means for keying the upper plate and the post together; and Fig. 6 is a detail view of the keyor wedge.

Like numerals of reference denote like and corresponding parts in each of the several figures 0f the drawings.

1 designates the bottom plate, which forms a lower support for the post 2, and this bottom plate is constructed in a manner to enable it to be used to support either round or angular posts. I preferably make this bottom plate in the form of a disk, but the particular contour of the plate is not material. Rising centrally from the bottom plate is a vertical boss or hub 3, which is made or cast as an integral part of the plate I, andthis vertical boss or hub is of generally cylindrical 'form, with two or more radial slots 4, which open through the wall or flange which forms the boss or hub, thus adapting the bottom plate to be used in connection with cylindrical posts or to enable the angle or corner of a V- shaped or other angular post to be fitted in the notches 0r slots of the hub or boss. This plate and its boss or hub are strengthened by the reinforcement webs or flanges, which extend radially from the hub or boss to the perimeter of the disk-like plate and which flanges are cast integral with the boss and the plate. The bottom plate is further provided with a series of vertical apertures 6, disposed in pairs on opposite sides of the reinforcement Webs or flanges of the base, and these apertures provide for the convenient attachment of the inclined stays 7, presently described more fully.

8 designates the upper plate, which is considerably smaller in size (diameter) than the bottom plate and which is arranged in vertical alinement with the bottom plate to enable it to be used in connection therewith and with the brace rods or stays to firmly hold the post in position. This upper plate is provided with a vertical opening which is surrounded by a flange 9, forming a central hub, and said plate is strengthened by the radial webs 10, made integral with the plate and its flange. The upper plate is also provided with a series (two or more) of radial notches 11, in either of which may be fitted one of the angles or cor I firmlyandsolidlyin the gr,ound,and thebroad I or kerf 14 in the post.

this wedge or key with the curved edges, as

, vided, near its edge, with a series of vertical apertures 13, through which are passed the upper ends of the inclined stays 7.

To enable a post,whether angular or cylindrical in form, to be used in connection with the plates, I provide 7 the post at or near the point where the upper plate 8 is to be fitted thereon with a notch or kerf 14:, which is .to be adjusted in a manner to register or coincide with one of the radial, notches 11 in the upper plate, and the wedge or key 12 is adapted to be fitted in the seat formed by the notch I prefer to construct shown by Fig. 6 of the drawings, because such construction enables the'key to be inserted and driven into place to good advantage and to bind tightly against the post and the upper plate. The lower plate is placed in position in theground, the post adjusted thereto, the top plate is adjusted to the post to occupy the proper position thereon above the bottom plate, the key is driven into place, and the braces or stays are then attached to the upper and lower plates, after which the earth is thrown around the post to cover the bottom plate and the post up to about the level of the upper plate. The parts are thus anchored bottom plate prevents any tendency of the post to become displaced in a vertical direction. The use of the inclined stays between the broad and narrow upper plates overcomes any tendency of the post to cant or tilt sidewise in the ground, and the parts are coupled together in a very substantial and secure manner. 1

My improvements are exceedingly simple in construction, as each plate may be cast in a single piece without undue weight of metal, and they involve a minimum amount of machine or hand work to finish or otherwise adapt them for service. The parts comprising the improved support for the post may be quickly and easily assembled together 'for service by any one unskilled in the calling,

and the fact that the plates may be used in connection with either style of post is an important factor, as it is optional with the purchaser whether he shall employ angular or cylindrical posts.

It is evident that slight changes in the form and proportion of parts and in the detailed construction may be madewithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of my invention. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by 2. The combination of a lower plate having a radially-notched socket, an upper plate also having a radially-notched aperture, an angular post fitted to said plates with its corners adapted to the notches therein, and means for holding said plates in rigid relation to said post and to each other, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a lower plate provided with a step-bearing, a post fitted to said bearing, an upper plate fitted t0 the post independently of the lower plate, a key fitted to the post and the upper plate to hold the latter firmly in place on the post, and stays attached to the plates, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVILLIAM H. KIMBALL.

\Vitnesses:

S. D. MONEAL, N. J. RICHARDS. 

